Denbigh players get counselling following lightning incident during daCosta Cup game

Counselling was provided today to members of Denbigh High's daCosta Cup football team to help them cope with the trauma following yesterday's lightning incident at the Cornwall College playing field in Montego Bay, St James.

Two players, Omarion Wright and Lashawn Barnaby, were affected by a lightning strike and were taken to Cornwall Regional Hospital for medical attention.

They have since been released.

The team's coach, Garfield Carney, told The Gleaner that the incident had a profound emotional impact on the team, with several players left shaken by what they witnessed.

“Almost everybody said they were traumatised because it was the first time they had experienced something like that. It was frightening, and it was very emotional for a lot of them because almost everybody was crying after the two players went down. It was very nerve-racking for them,” said Carney.

Carney also expressed concern about the decision to continue the match, noting that lightning remained visible in the distance throughout the game.

“It didn't hit the players directly, but they suffered some sort of shock,” he said.

“I think the referee should have called it off. I don't know if Jamaica really has protocols in place compared to America and Canada, because I've known of this in America and Canada,” he added.

The match, which was scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m., started almost an hour late because of inclement weather.

At the time of the stoppage, Cornwall were leading 1-0, courtesy of a fifth-minute goal from Demarco Finnikin.

Wright and Barnaby were subsequently seen lying on the field following the lightning incident.

Carney said that while many of the players were ready to return to action, they had made it clear that they were unwilling to play at Cornwall's venue again.

“I spoke to them and they said they will not go back on that field and play. They want to play the match and continue, but 100 per cent not back on that field,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cornwall College's coach, Leacroft Lettman, when contacted about the incident, emphasised the critical importance of having medical personnel and ambulances on site.

Lettman also said having medical personnel on site was a vital safety measure for protecting players.

- Ashley Anguin

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